Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Driven Crazy In My Seat

Oh, I wanted to like this movie. Ryan Gosling ("Blue Valentine" "The Believer" "Lars and The Real Girl") is a fine young actor who has great screen presence. I feel he will mature into one of the greats but not if he chooses films like this. "Drive," directed by Nicholas Winding Refn ("Valhalla Rising" and other 'B' type films) and also starring Carey Mulligan ("An Education" "Never Let Me Go") and Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") is an action film with very little action. It is based on the book of the same name penned by James Sallis, who co-wrote the screenplay with Hossein Amini. This film takes itself very seriously and takes a very long time with every shot of each character's face. There is a tremendous amount of starring and gazing and grinning. Ryan Gosling is a man who makes his living stunt driving, working on cars and being the getaway driver for criminals. We are never told why he does what he does and therefore there is very little connection with his character. He falls for his neighbor (a too cute and perky Carey Mulligan) who's husband is in jail. Things, of course, go terribly wrong when he is released. The ensuing drive sequences are terrific but they left me flat. There was no depth to the story other than the long gazes and smiles between Ryan and Carey, which had me squirming in my seat. Bryan Cranston had the most to say and brought some much needed life to the film but overall the script just did not give enough. Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan, two of our finest young actors, deserve much more to work with than this film could give.

"Contagion" - starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and many other stars. It is a well-written and very well-presented thriller with undertones of being a story told in real time. It is almost too real at times and you will jump the first time you hear someone cough after it is over but it is a smart film that entertains and informs.

"The Debt" - starring Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson, Ciaran Hinds, Jessica Chastain, Sam Worthington and a wonderful Marton Csokas who stole every scene he was in. This film has depth, an intricate script and excellent acting. This is one of the best films of the year so far.

About Me

Why I'm here...
My daughter came home from college at Thanksgiving and was telling me about a movie that she'd seen with her boyfriend. As I listened to her, I started interrupting and telling her what I thought the movie was about and what it all meant. She looked at me and said "Mom, you should really write reviews or a blog about movies. You always have so much to say." I think that was meant as both a compliment and a slight slam but I took the compliment part and started thinking. Movies have always been a passion for me. What makes one movie work and another one a total mess? How can some films leave you feeling like you just wasted 2 hours of your life and another movie stay with you and haunt you or make you laugh long after it's over? My love for movies was handed down to me by my mom, who passed away in August - so this blog is dedicated to her. And as my daughter said, I always have so much to say about any movie I see. So as they say, on with the show!